Lives of the First World War

known February 1917

In March 1917 Thomas was sent back home from France suffering from Laryngitis and Haemoptysis (coughing blood). These may have been symptomatic of a dangerous underlying condition like Tuberculosis - but this is not stated in the medical records. A month later a board of medical officers passed him permanently unfit for active service and put him on the Retired List of officers - suffering from conditions contracted while on active service. This board recommended that he spend some time in a Sanitorium to recover. He subsequently sought the advice of doctor Arthur Latham (of 35 Parkland Place) who suggested that he may be fit for light duty in 6 months time. In a letter written by Thomas to the War Office he points out that a civilian doctor had previously passed him fit and ready after 3 weeks leave to return to France - and requested a re-examination by a medical board when the war office saw fit. There is no indication of this taking place and given Thomas' untimely death within the next 2 years - his condition probably deteriorated rather than improved.

Created by: , Richard106785